You campaign in poetry. You govern in prose.

The poor have sometimes objected to being governed badly; the rich have always objected to being governed at all.

My people and I have come to an agreement that satisfies us both. They are to say what they please, and I am to do what I please.

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.

No human life, not even the life of a hermit, is possible without a world which directly or indirectly testifies to the presence of other human beings.

I shall be an autocrat: that’s my trade. And the good Lord will forgive me: that’s his.

The best of all rulers is but a shadowy presence to his subjects.

The vice presidency isn’t worth a pitcher of warm piss.

The affairs of the world are no more than so much trickery, and a man who toils for money or honor or whatever else in deference to the wishes of others, rather than because his own desire or needs lead him to do so, will always be a fool.

The U.S. presidency is a Tudor monarchy plus telephones.

Every communist must grasp the truth: “Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.”

A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always count on the support of Paul.

I work for a government I despise for ends I think criminal.